Our Best Car Leasing Tips

Our Best Car Leasing Tips

Quick Answer

Leasing a car can be a cost-effective way to get behind the wheel of something brand-new without breaking the bank and/or worrying about how much value its losing.

To drive a great deal, you need to pick the right vehicle, be smart about your lease terms, and (this is crucial) shop the deal, not the car. Avoid easy mistakes like underestimating how many miles you'll drive or how long you'll actually want it.

Better yet, just speak to a broker (like us!) and they'll make sure you're getting a great lease.

Top Car Leasing Tips

1. Choose the right car

It is very easy to get caught up in different makes and models. Best advice would be to have two lists – deal breakers and nice to haves. That sporty two-seater might look amazing, but it's a nightmare for school runs.

• Consider fuel costs – running something like an M2 might cost you as much as the lease itself!

• Think about where you'll be parking it and how much tech you really need (do you actually need a front camera?).

2. Shop the deal, not the car

I've seen this happen so many times - someone has their heart set on a specific model and ends up paying way over the odds for it.

• If you're thinking about a Ford Focus, look at what deals are available on similar cars. You might find an Audi A3 with a better spec for less money! This is really common.

• Manufacturers run different promotions all the time – it can be amazing what fits your budget.

3. Stock Cars or Cancelled Orders

If you're flexible and you want a good deal or some inspiration, have a chat with a broker and see if they've got any cancelled orders they want to move on quickly.

• Dealers are often desperate to shift stock cars or cancelled orders sitting on their forecourt.

• If you're not overly fussy about what you drive, you can pick up a very good deal.

4. Speak to a leasing broker (like us!)

If you went to a farmer, you could probably get a bag of potatoes cheaper than it'll cost you at Tesco. But what farm do you go to? Will they have the right ones? Will they deliver?

• A decent broker has relationships with multiple dealers and buy in bulk, meaning much bigger discounts, which we pass onto you.

• We also work with several finance companies, meaning we can obtain multiple quotes to ensure you're not overpaying with the company who finances the dealer.

• We'll handle the paperwork headaches and can explain the confusing bits in plain English.

• Any issues, we're on hand throughout your lease.

5. Understand your lease terms

How long do you really want this car for? Two years flies by, four years might feel like forever if you don't love the car.

• Be brutally honest about your annual mileage - those excess mileage charges can sting (they are pretty low most of the time, though).

• Think about your initial payment. Paying more upfront means smaller monthly payments, but can you afford that lump sum right now?

6. Cheapest is not always best

I know it's boring, but checking different lease companies and why customers love/hate them might save you some pain in the long term.

• Understand what happens if you need to end the lease early (life happens) - different lease companies charge different figures.

• Know exactly what counts as "excessive wear and tear" - what they consider fair and what they consider damage.

• Check if you need permission to drive abroad - most people don't realise this can be an issue...although Europe in generally fine.

8. Take care of your car

They are not expecting a brand new car back. Equally, they don't expect scrap back, either.

• Make sure it is serviced on time

• Use genuine garage to ensure the parts they use are up to standard

• Always worth getting a quote to repair damage like scratches and dents before handing it back

9. Have a Plan for When Your Lease Ends

The end comes quicker than you think:

• Decide a few months before whether you want to stick with leasing, try a different car, or maybe buy something instead.

• If you can't decide, a lot of leasing companies will let you extend, some will even let you buy your lease car.

• Get the car inspected before the official hand-over to avoid surprises.

Questions People Actually Ask About Leasing

1. Is leasing really cheaper than buying?

Month to month, absolutely. You're only paying for the car's depreciation during your lease period, not the whole thing. Sometimes, if you shop the deal and not the car, you can get deals which are even less than the car's depreciation (this is usually when a manufacturer needs to hit certain targets). Just remember you won't have anything to show for it at the end.

2. Can I still lease if my credit score isn't great?

Yes, but it's definitely harder - some leasing companies will lease to people who have less-than-perfect credit. You might need to put down a larger initial payment or choose from a smaller selection of cars.

3. Can I reduce my mileage during my lease?

Most of the time you can, but not with every lease company. Your best option it to start lower and increase it if you need to.

4. Can I buy the car at the end of my lease?

Some lease contracts have this option, but not all. Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) is better if you think you might want to keep the car. With Personal Contract Hire (aka Leasing) you can request to buy it at the end.

5. What's included in my lease payments?

Road tax is covered for the duration, along with the manufacturer's warranty and breakdown cover. You could also include a maintenance packages too, which will cover services and tyres.

6. Can I take my lease car to France?

Yes, but don't just drive off to the Channel Tunnel without letting them know first! You'll need to let your lease company know and get a VE103 certificate (it's a legal requirement). This usually takes 1-2 weeks to arrive.

7. Can I hand my lease car back early?

Yes, you can, but be prepared to pay around 50% of your remaining lease rentals. It's not cheap to exit early, so think carefully about your lease length at the start. It might be worth considering starting with a shorter lease and extending it at the end.

8. How do I need to return my lease car?

It doesn't need to be brand new – they are expecting a used car back! Big scratches, dents, damaged upholstery, or mechanical issues from neglect will definitely cost you. A good rule of thumb: if you'd notice it when buying a used car, they'll charge you for it. Don't just go and get lots of repairs done though, speak to us first, as the charges will likely be a lot less than you think.

Follow these tips, and you'll avoid the headaches that catch out first-time leasers. Happy driving!